This is my second week of “4 Runs a week” and today was really weird. I have always run on Tuesdays (well, at least for the last 5 years)! Last week I had just come back from my trip and was feeling sick so the Tuesday off from running was welcome. But, today it feels wrong. I want to give it a shot because everyone that does the FIRST program swears by it, but I am having hesitations about it.

I know from training for my first marathon in February my body was rebelling toward the end of training and I wasn’t looking as forward to running. I think as the mileage increases I will be grateful for a 4 day running week, but right now I miss it. I’m sticking with it for now, just thought I’d share.

Anyways, today was an active Rest Day. I did some strength moves and the elliptical for 30 minutes.

Breakfast was a smoothie and an english muffin.

I put PB on one side and ICBNB with sugar and cinnamon on the other 🙂 Some sugar and cinnamon may have gotten on the PB side too…Off to work! See ya later 🙂

Today is a Rest Day so I slept in a bit and did some strength training in my living room 🙂 If I was consistent with this I know I would see results fast since I’m built to last.

My breakfast yesterday was so satisfying I decided to make the same thing again 🙂 Today I added some of those Yogi Crisps. You can eat them dry or use them as cereal. Yogurt, cereal, banana, PB and soymilk…

Two more days until Belize! I am excited 🙂 But I really wish there was one of those spray tan places nearby. I don’t tan outside or use a tanning booth, but I swear by Mystic Tan. I miss Orange County where there was Mystic everywhere…I have no idea why I was born so light – the only things I got out of my Mexican genes are a big booty and rhythm…

Thursday is my rest day from running so I did some light weights and went to the apartment gym for 30 minutes of elliptical. Ben and I were the only ones there, it was nice 🙂

I made Overnight Oats for a quick and delicious breakfast this morning! In the mix: 1/2c oats, 1/2c yogurt, 1/2c almond milk, sprinkle of dried cranberries and banana. This morning I added the toppings.

Drip drop PB!

The Peanut Butter I bought from Costco (two HUGE jars) are all natural, just peanuts and salt – but it is super runny! I tried to stir it up as much as possible, but there was no hard part on the bottom. This is great for dripping PB all over your oats! It makes for messy PB&J though!

I have been getting to bed later than I’d like to because of some blog stuff I’ve been doing so I am really dragging today! I am shooting for 9pm tonight! I need sleep.

Intuitive Eating Challenge

Week One of the Intuitive Eating Challenge has been interesting. I am still having a hard time recognizing my hunger, but at least I am trying to be aware. The only sign of hunger I identify right now is an empty/gnawing feeling in my stomach. I need to see if I have other signs like sluggishness, irritability and others.

I think my other big challenge is listening to my fullness. The majority of the time I am overly full after a meal and I know I ate too much. But, I don’t know when to stop so I don’t feel like that. Work in progress…

Today is a Rest Day so I hit up the apartment gym for some elliptical time. I am not all about the elliptical since I don’t get “lost” in the workout like I do with my runs so it’s kinda boring. I meant to make my 5 year plan during my workout, but then I decided to do 2 minutes forward and 2 minutes backwards. So, I had to pay attention to the time. I think going backwards on the elliptical is a great idea because my legs are so used to running in one direction. I hope this strengthens other muscles. I did 30 minutes total,and I also did 10 minutes of strength exercises before.

I was hungry when I was working out this morning, which doesn’t normally happen to me (probably because I eat late at night!). So, I knew I needed a super filling breakfast to keep me full. Also, I am eating a lot earlier than I used to since I am getting to work so early. I made a bowl of oatmeal with banana, almond butter and TJ’s Raisin Bran granola cereal.

The picture is kinda blurry because I was using my phone…

Happy Thursday! It was sprinkling this morning. I just don’t get rain in the summer…

I’m really into writing out plans and making lists so I want to make out my 5 year plan.

Question: I need to make a “5 year plan”. Do you have one? What’s your biggest 5 year goal??

Good Morning friends 🙂 Ben (who is on CA time) called me last night and I didn’t end up going to sleep until after 11pm! I know that’s not late for some of you, but I am an “eight hour a night” girl all the way! So I am once again dragging this morning.

Today is a Rest Day – this means I should do some cross training or something active instead of running. I always say this, but I will write it again – I swear by rest days. I have learned the hard way that my body (and probably your body too) needs rest! Rest days help prevent injuries and improve morale 🙂

I used the apartment’s gym and did 30 minutes on the elliptical. Big whoop. I also did about ten minutes of hand weights 🙂

West meets East – As you know I am a California girl all the way. I was born, raised and have always lived in Southern Cali. Well, this whole Maryland thing is a completely new world for me. I thought I would share my thoughts as I make observances about my new little world…

Observance: While driving Ben to the Baltimore airport this weekend the freeway was pretty clear, but no one was going that fast?! I don’t get it, the road is open – DRIVE!

In California if there is no one on the freeway the speed-limit is as fast as your little car can take ya… Oh, and you don’t get in the fast lane unless you’re actually fast – other drivers get pissed if you are in the “fast lane” and only drive the speed-limit.

Rest Day from running meant a visit to the apartment’s gym today. It’s pretty small, but it was completely empty, which is nice. This was my first visit so I wasn’t sure what to expect. It has 2 ellipticals, 2 treadmills, 1 recumbent bike and some weight machines.

I stuck to the elliptical for about 40 minutes before it was time to get ready for work. It was a nice change from running, but I just don’t feel like the elliptical gives me a good work out. Maybe because running is so tough for me? I dunno, but I want to feel like I got in a good calorie burn and not just wasted 40 minutes…

Can you see the sunken treasure in my oats? That would be almond butter.

I like cinnamon too 🙂 Ben spilled coffee granules in the almond butter this morning and tried his best to get them all out, but there was still a few when I came to use it and I thought there were bugs in it!!!!! He told me what happened and we both laughed 🙂 But, if you see bugs in my almond butter you know why…

Marathon Training : Today was a rest day. The Runner’s World training program defines rest days…

Rest Days: Ideally, on rest days you should not exercise at all. But it’s okay to cross-train with a no-impact activity like stretching, yoga, or swimming.

I took a 40 minute walk this morning with Ben and then made it to YOGA!!!

Breakfast – I really wanted to dig into my new Amazing Grass today so I made a smoothie with the Mango/Pom flavor. I used Almond Milk, spinach, frozen blubes and the packet. It was a little grainy for my taste and could have used a banana, but I liked it all right…

I also had a mini-bagel on the side with almond butter.

After breakfast I went to yoga…it’s been too long! I really missed it and had the best time. I’m always intimidated to go to yoga because I don’t feel “good at it”, but I’m always glad I went 🙂

I super happy that I just realized there is a good yoga studio in my new city of residence in MD!!!

Watermelon after yoga 🙂

Lunch was a massive salad topped with the new tempeh from yesterday. I love this stuff! Plus a piece of cheese bread on the side.

This is the bread I’ve been raving about…I get it at Costco in a double pack. But – they don’t have it at every Costco, even the ones in Southern California, some have it, some don’t…Tay was right when she guessed:)

I also dipped into this Hummus Quartet…I use hummus in Ben’s sandwiches instead of mayo and of course I love to eat it up too!